Ives scored the Third Symphony for chamber orchestra, and the Orpheus
CO play it gloriously. You immediately notice that this orchestra sounds
very different than Bernstein's New York Philharmonic. The Orpheus CO
sounds more lustrous and intimate. Ives derived most of the Third Symphony
from organ compositions that he'd composed previously. He played these
original works as organist in NYC's Central Presbyterian Church. It's
easy to hear that in this recording; the organ tones come across beautifully.
In general, the Orpheus CO displays more textural nuance than Bernstein's
NYPO. The Orpheus CO's reading also benefits from well-recorded sound--especially
compared to Bernstein's 1960's-vintage recording. The Third Symphony is
the strongest works on this particular disc, but the Orpheus CO's "Unanswered
Question" is also haunting, as good as any out there.

Now for the bad news: The other works on this disc are duds. Their Three
Places in New England never catches fire. The other "sets" aren't
much better. You'll need to turn elsewhere for good recordings of these
works. For some reason, in these works the Orpheus CO comes across as
timid, as if the players aren't willing to let loose and be rowdy. In
short, I find these works too "nice," nowhere near what (I think!) Ives
intended. But I'd rather not end on a sour note. The Orpheus CO's recordings
of Third Symphony and "The Unanswered Question" are outstanding!
This disc receives my highest recommendation--for theseworks!

This is an excellent disc. Sinclair's interpretation of the Third Symphony
is incisive and insightful. It's also a bit on the cool side. His reading
is less fervent than the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra's reading, and that's
why I marginally prefer the DG account. (The Naxos recording is
somewhat cool as well.) But I'm splitting hairs. Sinclair brings out so
much detail and nuance that other conductors pass right by. This is one
of the best recordings that this work has ever received.

Here's another outstanding Ives recording from Michael Tilson Thomas.
While the luminous recording by the Orpheus Chamber Orchestra is probably
my top choice, Sinclair, MTT, and Bernstein are all terrific. If you want
to investigate Tilson Thomas' recording, go for the version that couples
the Third with the Second Orchestral Set. The latter work receives a staggering
performance. Like his reading of the Holidays Symphony, MTT's Orchestral
Set No. 2 is a revelation!

Bernstein's recording is deeply reverential and completely idiomatic.
It just seems to be entirely characteristic of Bernstein at his best.
Obviously, since this was recorded in the 60's Bernstein doesn't have
access to the "critical edition" of the score, and the sound leaves a
bit to be desired. Also, Lenny occasionally lingers to "smell the
roses." (His timings are much longer than any other conductor's.
I think that others benefit from a snappier pace--especially in the first
and second movements.) But these are minor quibbles. This is great music!
Another positive: Lenny's reading of the Second Symphony is the coupling,
and it's a classic readings of that work. This CD also includes a thirteen-minute
mini-lecture on Ives by Leonard Bernstein. It's fascinating--even when
I occasionally find myself thinking that Bernstein's missing something.
But I'm quibbling again. It's a lecture. Who cares? Listen to the music!
Now that's advocacy!

This classic recording of the Third Symphony introduced many people to
Ives' music for the first time. It's still a very solid reading. But I
prefer Sinclair and MTT for their interpretive insights, the Orpheus Chamber
Orchestra for its lustrous, fervent orchestral sound, and Lenny for his
boisterous energy. But there's nothing wrong here. Pick this one up if
you're looking for these particular couplings. (The Schuman is particularly
interesting.)

Like many of Ormandy's Ives recordings, this LP does a fine job of capturing
the genial, folksy qualities in this music, even if it glosses over some
of its more profound aspects. I still love Ormandy's Three Places in
New England (both versions: Columbia/Sony
and RCA), and his Holidays
Symphony is sublime. But this recording doesn't pack the wallop
that those do. This is good supplemental version of the Third, but it's
not a top choice.

Farberman's reading is solid, if not especially distinguished. The New
Philharmonia produce a grand sound--even if the pacing is occasionally
a bit four-square. Several other interpreters have produced more compelling
readings of this work. (And there's no bells at the end! That's no good!
The bells are essential!)

Marriner's reading has nothing wrong with it, but something is missing.
The orchestra produces a refined, polished sound that is very beautiful,
but it doesn't capture the hushed intensity found in the best readings.
To my ears, Marriner also doesn't negotiate some of the tempo changes
particularly idiomatically, so the performance doesn't quite gel. One
last quibble: The reading lacks a sense of vitality--even jauntiness--that
you hear in the best recordings.

This has none of Bernstein's vitality and none of the Orpheus CO's textural
clarity and beauty. I'm not convinced by Slatkin one bit. It's just dull.
The irritating, recessed sound doesn't make it any easier for me to recommend
this disc. Others really like this recording, so you may want to give
it a listen anyway. In fact, I've seen books that recommend this as an
introduction to Ives! Frankly, that mystifies me. But who can explain
the mystery of taste?